Today was our final meeting with our hosting organization IB Polska, and it was truly a special and emotional day. As our volunteer journey slowly comes to an end, this meeting gave us a chance to reflect, connect, and say goodbye in a meaningful way.

We began the day by talking about Youthpass, discussing how much we’ve grown during our time here. It was interesting to see how many different experiences we’ve had — from learning new skills, adapting to a different culture, and most importantly, making a difference. Filling out the Youthpass together also reminded us of how much we’ve accomplished, even in ways we hadn’t noticed before.

After that, we did a short meditation. It helped us calm down, be present in the moment, and really feel the emotions of the day. Remebering everything from the very beginning to that day mad me realize how quickli time passes and we felt so grateful for everything we experienced.

One of the most touching activities was when we wrote kind and uplifting messages to each other on paper. Everyone got their own sheet and wrote nice sentences for one another. It was so heartwarming to read those notes — little reminders that our presence mattered, that we made friends who truly saw us.

We also got creative and worked together on a poster about our volunteering experience. It was colorful, full of photos, quotes, and memories. Looking at it made us smile, laugh, and remember all the small moments that made this journey unforgettable. This is a once in a lifetime experience and seeing all others’ experiences was so nice.

Finally, we started making plans for our farewell picnic. We shared ideas for food, place how we want to celebrate the time we’ve spent together. It will be our last event as a group, and we want to make it special — a day full of joy and gratitude.

As I walked home after the meeting, I felt both heavy and light.I had a smile on my face with a heavy emotion, but light with gratitude. I’ll never forget this chapter of my life. l will miss those friendships and these days.

Even though it was a day filled with emotions, it didn’t feel like a sad goodbye. It felt like a celebration of what we’ve lived through — the friendships we’ve built, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the beautiful memories we’ll carry with us.

Article by Esmanur,

European Solidarity Corps volunteer.

Thursday meeting by European Solidarity Corps volunteer from 05/06/2025.